Missile kills Pakistan tribal head

Agree.
Dittos.

Thanx

“Some villagers, who had been out on their roofs to guard their homes, claimed they saw a bright white ray of light emanating from the white unmanned aircraft just before the missile attack.”

LOL, when I read that the literacy rate in South Waziristan was only 18% (to a six-grade level) for men and under 1% for women, I had my doubts, but this story sure supports that claim!

First, by definition, there is no such thing as a "white laser". Second, the laser the Predator uses emits infrared light. Can you imagine anything as dumb as a targeting system that uses a laser that can be seen by everyone, especially the target? Third, if the attack occurred, as reported, at 9:30PM, how did they see the "white aircraft" and how could they tell it was unmanned? (Typical stand-off distances for the Predator would be two to three miles.) Fourth, how could they see the missile since its engine burns out in the first 2-3 seconds of flight and essentially coasts (at mach 1.25) its' way to the target?

"Why, Nek, what big eyes you have. All the better to see the infrared laser coming, my dear."

What a bunch of maroons!

--Boot Hill

It's HiPakistan....think there's a bit of poetic/literary/journalistic license here.

“...there's a bit of poetic/literary/journalistic license here.”

Ahhh, I see, they're playing by New York Times rules. Now it all makes sense!

--Boot Hill

“Speculation was also on as to who would replace Nek Muhammad...”

The guy that draws the short straw? The guy with a terminal case of bad luck? The most hated guy in the whole village? A guy to dumb to say "hell no"?

Look, Achmed, yesterday my wife ran away with my best friend, last night my children set fire to my bed, this morning my dog pee'd on my leg and now you want me take over Nek's old job?

--Boot Hill

Why, Nek, what big eyes you have. All the better to see the infrared laser coming, my dear.

"Nek, what a terribly big mouth you have! All the better to speak on the satellite phone.

Lets hope you are correct about Mushi finally figuring out he needs to clean out (the best he can) the lawless-tribal areas in PAK -

This is best for him in the long run - if he survives for the long run - I do find him to be a decent man, working a tremendously hard situation - but he has made the correct choice choosing to stand by the U.S.

With that said, I think it has come long-overdue that with Mushi help or not - American forces needed to start entering Pak terrority and flushing out Al Zawahiri, Omar, etc -

It has been too long that these evil SOB's have been allowed to live - Allowed to live without much pressure from U.S. forces (direct pressure that is) - These guys need to be gone after with much more direct U.S. forces come hell or high water!! IMHO.

I have to believe we are getting closer to Al Zawahiri (but then I have been thinking that for 2 years now) - UBL my gut tells me he is dead but my brain tells me he is alive -

I will say this, IF he is dead I think some in the military KNOW this -

First, by definition, there is no such thing as a "white laser".

You are right if you just think of a monochromatic laser. If you mix several frequencies you get a white laser light, like this one http://www.edinst.com/whitelaser.htm , but this has no military use, at least not in weapon systems.

sorry http://www.edinst.com/whitelaser.htm

“You are right if you just think of a monochromatic laser.”

You posted a link to an excellent counter-example, and that is why I included the disclaimer "by definition". (I knew that if I didn't, I get hacked to pieces!) That definition is: A laser is a monochromatic, collimated, and phase coherent emitter of optical radiation.

--Boot Hill

Yes please, follow in Neks footsteps.

http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en68490&F_catID=&f_type=source
WANA, June 20: Increased activity of local "mujahideen" was seen in Azam Warsak on Sunday, fuelling speculation of renewed violence in South Waziristan. Over a hundred tribal militants were seen moving about Azam Warsak, about 15km to the west of Wana, the regional headquarters.

This was the single largest concentration of militants in the area three days after the death of top militant Nek Muhammad in a missile attack last week. The militants are yet to choose Nek's successor but local mujahideen said they would choose their new commander sometime later this week.

Two names are being cited in this regard. One is Nek's first cousin, Allah Noor, a 40-year-old former Taliban fighter, and the second is Muhammad Khan, also a veteran of Afghanistan whose house on the border with Afghanistan had been searched by American forces.

South Waziristan was relatively quiet on the third day of Nek's death when relatives and friends gathered at his village, Kaloosha, on Sunday to offer fateha for the departed soul.

Speaking on the occasion, Nek's uncle Muhammad Sadiq said the family was proud that they had produced a martyr. "We are happy. We are not sad," he said. "Nek had chosen the right path and we all must endeavour to follow in his footsteps," he said.

In Wana, the security forces searched the madrassah of Maulana Noor Muhammad, a former MNA and teacher of the late Nek Muhammad. Witnesses said the security forces searched the tunnels leading out of the Darul Uloom, South Waziristan, which were used by female students to come to the female section from the nearby Mughalkhel village.

Meanwhile, the economic blockade slapped on Ahmadzai Wazir tribe as a punishment for its inability to flush out foreign militants entered its 21st day on Sunday. The situation has increased the hardship of people at large, with farmers being the hardest hit.

With not outlet open, farmers are worried about their tomatoes and apricots. Tomato price has slumped to a rock bottom Rs1 per kilo locally and farmers are dumping their apricots that are sold at Rs15 per crate.

• “...local mujahideen said they would choose their new commander sometime later this week.”

ROTFLMAO, in America the game is called "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"!

--Boot Hill

I have marked some interesting lines and added my comments in brackets.
http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en68457&F_catID=&f_type=source

PESHAWAR: Haji Mohammad Omar, brother of two most wanted men in South Waziristan, is being appointed the acting commander of the group of tribal Islamic militants to succeed the deceased Nek Mohammad.

Omar's elder brothers Haji Sharif Khan and Nur Islam are on the government's wanted list for allegedly sheltering foreign militants in South Waziristan. Both were granted amnesty by the Pakistan Army along with Nek Mohammad, Maulana Mohammad Abbas and Maulana Abdul Aziz under the Shakai agreement on April 24 in return for a promise to renounce militancy. However, the amnesty was revoked when the government claimed that Nek Mohammad and his group failed to present the illegally staying foreigners to the authorities for registration.

Talking to The News from an undisclosed location in South Waziristan (please explain more on the phone), the 45-year-old Haji Omar said he would accept the wish of his fellow fighters to become the new commander of the group.

"I consider my new position as a challenge. I have taken part in jihad all my adult life and was wounded four times. I fought against the Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan and later joined the Taliban to fight the Northern Alliance and the US invaders," he argued.

Omar adopted a conciliatory tone when asked about his views on the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan. "We don't want to fight Pakistan Army. We want peace with our soldiers. Even if we fight, eventually we have to come around to the negotiation table to resolve our disputes peacefully."

Naming the US and India as the real enemies of Muslims, he said it was his wish to wage jihad against all those who persecute the followers of Islam and occupy their lands. Saying that talks with the Pakistan Army were possible despite the recent bloodshed and the killing of Nek Mohammad in a missile strike, Omar said the problems could be overcome with a sincerity of purpose. However, he added that he and his men were prepared to defend themselves in case they were attacked. "In such situations, our mujahideen would retaliate against the "munafiqeen". We would have no option but to fight back."

Unlike the flamboyant Nek Mohammad, Omar is a simple man who described himself as a soldier. He has three children from his two wives. Until now, he has remained in the shadows of his brothers, Haji Sharif and Nur Islam, who became known after their names were put on the government's wanted list. But his appointment as acting commander of the militants' group would bring him out in the open and expose him to risks.

When told that he now risked being killed or captured, Omar said he believed in destiny and was ready to pay the price for fighting jihad. "You know our homes in Kaloosha village were demolished by the government. We now live in a tent and that is how we lived before building our home. I like the tent as a home because we can easily carry and erect it wherever we want."

It was learnt that Omar and his namesake, Omar Khan, emerged as the two leading candidates to replace Nek Mohammad after he was killed in a laser-guided missile strike Thursday night. As their group has links with Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers and are inspired by Taliban leader Mulla Mohammad Omar, most members were happy to have one of the Omars as the new commander.

However, Omar had better chances to succeed Nek Mohammad because he too belonged to the Yargulkhel sub-tribe and hailed from a prominent family of Kaloosha. Besides, he is a veteran of the Afghan jihad and a battle-hardened fighter.

The other Omar is a brother of Eidak Khan, whose home in Shakai was destroyed in the recent military operation. Eidak Khan, who was accused of harbouring foreign militants, also lost his father and a brother in the bombing by jetfighters and helicopter gunships. Omar Khan of Shakai is the proverbial dark horse with chances of becoming the regular commander of the group at a later stage.(i.e. after he has been taken out)

Talking to The News from an undisclosed location in South Waziristan (please explain more on the phone),

Using the phone???

the 45-year-old Haji Omar said he would accept the wish of his fellow fighters to become the new commander of the group.

I would to thank the Academy....for this Oscar.

"I consider my new position as a challenge. I have taken part in jihad all my adult life and was wounded four times.

Only winged him..

I fought against the Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan and later joined the Taliban to fight the Northern Alliance and the US invaders," he argued.

And got my arse kicked.

Well, now, who makes the best missiles in the whole wide world.

Back in his glory days. Nek Mohammed of Wana, at a jirga and with Corps Commander.

Wonder if we just got tired and took matters into our own hands. Well, no one's gonna say.

The scattered terrorists are gathering at Kalosha and Azam Warsak. Get your gear ready:
ttp://www.dawn.com/2004/06/22/top4.htm

Militant leader vows jihad against US

By Dilawar Khan Wazir

WANA, June 21: The head of 'mujahideen' shura in South Waziristan on Monday said they wanted to live in peace with Pakistan, but vowed to continue waging a jihad against the United States.

"We want peace for Pakistan, but not for the US," Haji Muhammad Omar, amir of the mujahideen shura in Waziristan, told Dawn. The hitherto unknown Muhammad Omar called the BBC Pushto Service on Sunday to claim that he had been made the acting commander of the mujahideen in place of Nek Muhammad who had been killed in a missile attack last week.

The 45-year-old former Taliban fighter, however, went back on his earlier statement, saying no decision had so far been made about the appointment of Nek's successor. "We are still in a state of mourning. We will decide about Nek's successor when fateha is over and the shura meets," he said.

Haji Omar, who heads a 12-member mujahideen shura in South Waziristan that oversees recruitment, planning and funding of tribal mujahideen, denied that he had claimed to have become Nek's successor.

"I did not say this. What I said was that the shura would meet soon to decide about Nek's successor." Omar is the younger brother of tribal militants Haji Sharif and Noor Islam. Both are wanted by the government after enjoying a brief period of amnesty. The two are also members of the shura.

Maulavi Abbas and Maulana Abdul Aziz are two other members of the shura and wanted by the authorities for sheltering foreign militants. Locals describe Haji Omar as a serious and sagacious person unlike the 27-year-old Nek Muhammad who was widely known to be an emotional man. Meanwhile, families were seen leaving Kalosha and Azam Warsak after increased presence of local militants

http://www.pakistanlink.com/headlines/June04/22/06.html

Major successes achieved in apprehending terrorists in Karachi: Faisal
9 terrorists of Jandala Organisation arrested

ISLAMABAD : Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat says government has achieved a tremendous success in apprehending the terrorists involved in murder cases in Sindh province.

Talking to newsmen here Monday, Syed Faisal Hayat said that most of the people involved in terrorist activities have been arrested and investigation is underway in the murder cases of Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and Munawar Soharwardi.

Answering a question, he said Sindh government is capable enough to maintain writ of the law in the province.

He said that security agencies have weakened the terrorist network. However, security has been put on high alert throughout the country and security cameras will be installed in all major cities including Federal capital and the provincial capitals to curb terrorist activities.

To a question the Minister said that nine members including mastermind Atta-ur-Rehman and his Assistant Shahzad of Jandala Organisation have been arrested and half of them were trained in Wana and Shakai area of Southern Waziristan. He said that terrorist activities in other parts of the country have a link with Wana.

About the operation in Wana, the Interior Minister said that tribal people have extended full support to the policies of the government and the operation will continue till the complete flush out of foreign elements from Pakistani soil.

He said that government has announced general amnesty and asked the foreigners to surrender and register themselves with the authorities, but they did not take benefit from it. He said government has honoured the Shakai agreement and released 128 people, but they broke the agreement and killed 9 personnel of Frontier Constabulary and started attacking the Pak Army.

To another question, he said that government has not handed over any Pakistani to any third country and the matter of foreign nationals will be dealt under the relevant laws.

Regarding terrorist incidents in Balochistan, Faisal Saleh Hayat said that government is trying to resolve the matter through dialogue, otherwise action will be taken against the disgruntled people.

LoL

(Reporting for duty.)

"Nek had chosen the right path and we all must endeavour to follow in his footsteps,"

Give them all a phone and we'll make their dreams come true.